Make a date with a friend and go see JOY. JOY stars the fabulous Jennifer Lawrence, and is loosely based on the life of Joy Mangano, one of the the most successful inventors and entrepreneurs of our time. It is the inspirational story of a single mom who has had to put her talents and dreams on hold while she handles everything else. We learn in flashbacks that Joy was a creative and smart girl. She would spend hours figuring out how to build and bring her ideas to life. She was valedictorian of her high school and had a love of life and was ready to try new things. However, Joy learns at a young age that she is responsible for her family and she doesn’t go to college so she can help her dad at his metal factory. Her mother, after divorcing her father, reverts to basically a helpless child that does not leave her bedroom (in Joy’s house) and watches soap operas all day. She marries young and has children with a handsome, charismatic singer who can’t hold a job. Their marriage falls apart under the pressures of real life, but Joy lets him live in her basement. Joy, like many women, can’t say no to anyone in her family, no matter what crazy request they ask of her; Joy puts everyone else's needs first.
As usual Joy is left to clean up every one else's mess. After one of the more literal messes, involving a teak deck, red wine and a broken glass, Joy comes up with her life changing invention. She designs the concept in her daughters bedroom and lays down the law for her family. They help, they fight, there are serious highs and heart breaking lows. It is hard not to get emotionally invested in these characters. The all star cast gives the audience everything and will make you feel that your own family is not as crazy as you thought they were in comparison to this disfunction.
There is a high probability that your life will include a good amount of drama when your mother looks to Soap Operas as the way of life. Joy’s mother’s obsession with her soap takes over her life and we actually see Joy’s life become a real life soap opera. Director David O. Russell brings in the biggest soap stars for some amazing over the top scenes in the movie. I got to talk to soap opera legends Donna Mills and Laura Wright from the film, and hear about their experiences and take on making this film. Both actresses were shocked and confused when they were asked to come in and read for the film, but of course they had to both go see for themselves. At both of their castings they met and read with Jennifer Lawrence, who gave them tips of working with David O. Russell. We learned how his movies are very improvised and fast-paced, which is very different then how soaps are filmed. Donna talked about how David would just come up with an idea during a scene and say something like "ok, now get into a catfight". They both agreed that it was such a fun and different experience to be able to bring all their soap opera expertise and skills to this major motion picture.
Joy is now playing
Connect with JOY Online:
Visit JOY on our WEBSITE: http://fox.co/JoySite
Like JOY on FACEBOOK: http://fox.co/JoyFB
Follow JOY on TWITTER: http://fox.co/JoyTwitter
Follow JOY on INSTAGRAM: http://fox.co/JoyInstagram
Follow JOY on PINTEREST: http://fox.co/JoyPinterest
